Editing Church service (section)

==Common features==
[[File:Christchurch Cathedral Choir Lagos.JPG|thumb|Church choir singing at a service, [[Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos]], Nigeria]]
Vocal music is traditionally sung by a [[choir]] or the [[congregational singing|congregation]] (or a mixture of the two), usually accompanied by an [[organ (music)|organ]].<ref>William J. Collinge, ''Historical Dictionary of Catholicism'', Scarecrow Press, USA, 2012, p. 280</ref><ref>J. Gordon Melton, ''Encyclopedia of Protestantism'', Infobase Publishing, USA, 2005, p. 345</ref>  Sometimes other instruments such as piano, classical instruments, or modern band instruments may be part of the service, especially in churches influenced by the [[contemporary worship]] movement. Some churches are equipped with state-of-the-art [[multi-media]] equipment to add to the worship experience. The congregation may sing along in [[hymnal]]s or words to hymns and worship songs may be displayed on a screen. More liturgical denominations may have the words to specific prayers written in a [[missal]]ette or [[prayer book]], which the congregation follows. Though most of the services are still conducted in church buildings designed specifically for that purpose, some services take place in "store front" or temporary settings.<ref name="Helmuth Berking 2018, p. 78">Helmuth Berking, Silke Steets, Jochen Schwenk, ''Religious Pluralism and the City: Inquiries into Postsecular Urbanism'', Bloomsbury Publishing, UK, 2018, p. 78</ref><ref name="George Thomas Kurian 2016">George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 1359</ref>

For those unable to attend a service in a church building a burgeoning [[televangelism]] and radio ministry provides broadcasts of services.<ref>George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 2275–2276</ref> A number of websites have been set up as "cyber-churches" to provide a virtual worship space free to anyone on the internet. Church services are often planned and led by a single [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]] (pastor) or a small group of [[elder (Christianity)|elders]] or may follow a format laid out by the dictates of the denomination. 

Some churches are "[[laity|lay]] led" with members of the congregation taking turns guiding the service or simply following format that has evolved over time between the active members. More commonly, an [[ordained]] minister will preach a [[sermon]] (which may cover a specific topic, or as part of a book of the Bible which is being covered over a period of time). Depending on the church, a public invitation follows whereby people are encouraged to become Christians, present themselves as candidates for baptism or to join the congregation (if members elsewhere), or for other purposes. Many congregations begin their church services with the ringing of a [[church bell|bell]] (or a [[ring of bells|number of bells]]); a current trend is to have an introductory video which serves as a "countdown" to the beginning of the service. The service usually involves the singing of [[Hymn#Christian hymnody|hymns]], reading of [[Bible|scripture]] verses and possibly a [[psalm]]. If the church follows a [[lectionary]], the sermon will often be about the scripture [[lection]]s assigned to that day. [[Eucharist]]ic churches have usually [[Holy Communion]] either every Sunday or several Sundays a month. Less liturgical congregations tend to place a greater emphasis on the sermon. Many churches will take up a collection of money ([[offertory]]) during the service. The rationale for this is taken from {{bibleverse|1|Corinthians|16:1-2|KJV}}, {{bibleverse|1|Corinthians|9:9–11|KJV}}, and {{bibleverse|1|Timothy|5:16–18|KJV}}. But some churches eschew this practice in favor of voluntary anonymous donations for which a box or plate may be set up by the entrance, or return-address envelopes may be provided that worshippers may take with them. Offering through the Internet has become a common practice in many evangelical churches.<ref name="christianpost.com"/><ref name="businessghana.com"/> On occasion, some churches will also arrange a second collection, typically occurring after Communion, for a specific good cause or purpose.<ref>Zech, C., [https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/349/article/problem-second-collection The Problem of the Second Collection], [[America (magazine)|America Magazine]], published 5 November 2001, accessed 29 May 2021</ref>

Some churches offer [[Sunday school]] classes.<ref>George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christian Education, Volume 3'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2015, p. 229</ref><ref name="Jeanne Halgren Kilde 2005, p. 159, 170"/><ref name="Greg Dickinson 2015, p. 144"/> These will often be for younger children, and may take place during the whole of the service (while the adults are in church), or the children may be present for the beginning of the service and at a prearranged point leave the service to go to Sunday school. Some churches have adult Sunday school either before or after the main worship service.

Following the service, there will often be an opportunity for fellowship in the [[Fellowship hall|church hall]] or other convenient place. This provides the members of the congregation a chance to socialize with each other and to greet visitors or new members. Coffee or other refreshments may be served.<ref>United Parish in Brookline, [https://www.unitedparishbrookline.org/newcomers/what-to-expect/ After worship we offer coffee, tea and some kind of snacks in the Chapel], unitedparishbrookline.org MA, USA, Dec 3, 2023</ref>

===Types of church service===
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[[File:Interior of St. John's Church in Helsinki.jpg|thumb|During a Christmas service at [[St. John's Church, Helsinki|St. John's Church]] in [[Helsinki|Helsinki, Finland]]]]
Church services take many forms, and set liturgies may have different names. Services typically include:

*Regular Sunday services. These are a part of most traditions. [[Holy Communion]] may be celebrated at some or all of these; often it is included either once a month or once a quarter. A few denominations have their main weekly services on Saturday rather than Sunday. Larger churches often tend to have several services each Sunday; often two or three in the morning and one or two in the late afternoon or evening, as well as on Saturdays. Some churches have begun to provide religious services conducted through internet technology, for the benefit of those who cannot attend for health or other reasons, or who may want to preview the church before attending in person.
*Midweek services. Again, Holy Communion can be part of these, either on every occasion or on a regular basis.
*Holiday services. Treated like a regular Sunday service, but made more specific for the day.
*[[Wedding]]s. These are normally separate services, rather than being incorporated into a regular service, but may be either.
*[[Funeral]]s. These are always separate services. 
*[[Baptism]]s. These may be incorporated into a regular service, or separate.
*[[Confirmation]]. This is normally incorporated into a regular Sunday service, which will also include communion. It was traditionally the [[first Communion]] of the confirmee, but more recently, children are invited to communion in some denominations, whether confirmed or not.
*[[Ordination]] of clergy. New bishops, elders, priests and deacons are usually ordained or installed generally in a solemn but celebratory ceremony on Saturday or Sunday, generally open to the public, either by their own superior or by another approved senior minister with ordination powers. The service is held either at the area headquarters church or cathedral or at another church agreed upon by those to be ordained and the ordaining ministers. Ordination of bishops or elders may require consecration by more than one individual and have a more limited audience.   
*[[First Communion]]. Children may celebrate Communion for the first time.
*Opening of new churches or church buildings.
*Dedication of new [[missionary|missionaries]] or those about to be sent on new missions.